In a departure for the award, which was founded in 1965, it will be run in conjunction with the education resources website from the Guardian, Learn.co.uk, which will host online discussions on the long-listed books over the summer holidays.

Previous winners of this prestigious award include Melvin Burgess, Anne Fine and Philip Pullman. Last year's winner was Jacqueline Wilson for The Illustrated Mum, the story of how two young sisters cope with their mother's increasingly erratic behaviour.

The award is open to fiction for children aged seven and above, published in the UK between January 2000 and September 2001. There is a limit of 10 entries per publisher and previous winners are not eligible.

Submissions should be made by April 31 to Julia Eccleshare, children's books editor, 21 Tanza Road, London NW3 2UA.